PhilHealth recently held an orientation at the Regional Office 5, Legazpi City, regarding the new benefits and services of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). The event was attended by PhilHealth heads and staff, public information officers (PIOs) from Albay, including Camalig Public Information Officer (PIO) Mr. Tim Florece, and members of the media.

 

The orientation focused on the implementation of Republic Act 11223, Section 5, which mandates universal healthcare (UHC) in the Philippines. PhilHealth Public Affairs Unit Head Ms. Leri L. Ilagan emphasized the importance of the “4M” principle for beneficiaries: Magparehistro, Mag-update ng record, Magbayad ng kontribusyon, and Mag-claim ng benepisyo. Ilagan also highlighted PhilHealth’s shift from a curative to a preventive healthcare approach, stating, “Before ka magkasakit ay may mag-aalaga na sayo.”

 

The orientation detailed significant improvements in benefits, such as increased coverage for hemodialysis, now providing ₱6,000 per session (from ₱4,000 previously), for a total of 156 sessions. Catastrophic benefits have also been significantly expanded, with PhilHealth now covering ₱1.4 million per member for critical illnesses like breast cancer (from ₱100,000 previously).

 

The orientation also introduced PhilHealth Konsulta, a program with 29 accredited providers in Albay, including the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Camalig, offering free consultations, case management, preventive health services, assistance in accessing services, and referral to specialty and higher levels of care. These services are available in both public and private hospitals and clinics.

 

LGU-Camalig and PhilHealth are planning a comprehensive orientation or caravan in Camalig, Albay, to further educate the community about these new benefits. For more information about the NHIP and its benefits, visit www.philhealth.gov.ph.

Photo courtesy of: Albay Communicators Network